November 22, 2024

Blur’s Graham Coxon on Oasis Reunion: “Good for the Fans and Good for Them”

As Oasis fans gear up for one of the most anticipated reunions in British rock history, Blur’s guitarist Graham Coxon has weighed in on the Gallaghers’ decision to patch things up and hit the road once again. “It’s good for them and it’s good for the fans,” Coxon said in a recent interview with The Sun, capturing the mood of an entire generation ready to relive the highs of Britpop.

For Coxon, this isn’t just industry news; it’s a reminder of a time when Blur and Oasis dominated the UK charts and drove the Britpop phenomenon of the 1990s. The two bands’ rivalry was legendary, fueling one of the most electric eras in British music. Now, with the Gallaghers setting aside their differences, it feels like a piece of that magic is back.

In August, Liam and Noel Gallagher announced their plans to reunite Oasis for a stadium tour, which kicks off in the UK and Ireland in July 2025. After bringing their hits to fans across North America, the iconic duo will return to London for two final dates at Wembley Stadium in September before taking the show to Australia in October. While Coxon is all for the reunion, he kept a respectful distance from suggesting it outright, clarifying, “God no, I wouldn’t have talked to him about that… I don’t know him well enough to say that.”

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Interestingly, the announcement comes alongside another Britpop throwback – a stage play currently in development for London’s West End, titled The Battle. Set to debut in 2025, the play will chronicle the fierce rivalry between Blur and Oasis, with a particular focus on the infamous 1995 chart showdown. That summer, Blur’s “Country House” and Oasis’s “Roll With It” went head-to-head for the Number One spot, a battle Blur won. Written by John Niven and produced by Simon Friend, The Battle is being billed as “a comedy with teeth,” and promises to capture the competitive spirit and camaraderie that defined the scene.

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Meanwhile, Coxon hasn’t slowed down creatively. He recently released City Lights, his second album with The WAEVE, his collaboration with Rose Elinor Dougall. Following their 2023 debut, this new release is a personal exploration of early parenthood and its sleepless nights, something Coxon discussed candidly with NME. Despite his own busy schedule, he’s excited for the Oasis reunion, noting, “Hopefully it’s a genuine reunion because some bands break up and don’t get that chance again.”

With Blur’s legacy secure and Oasis set to reignite their own, this reunion feels like a nostalgic gift to fans who never stopped hoping for another chapter. For Britpop devotees, it’s like the ‘90s never left – and Coxon, like all of us, seems ready to cheer them on.


September 9, 2023

Blur and Oasis- Revising the Britpop Feud That Rocked The Nation

Get ready to dive into one of the most sensational and electrifying rivalries in music history—the epic showdown between Blur and Oasis. Brace yourself for a wild ride as we delve into the exhilarating battle between these Britpop behemoths that captivated the world and shaped an era.

In the 1990s, the airwaves crackled with anticipation as Blur and Oasis emerged as the vanguard of the Britpop movement. Their rivalry became the stuff of legends, a clash of titans that captured the hearts and imaginations of music fans worldwide. It was a cultural phenomenon that transcended the boundaries of mere music and became a bona fide cultural war.

The rivalry between Blur and Oasis was fueled by their contrasting personas and musical styles. Blur, with their art-school charm and cheeky wit, epitomized the quintessential Englishness. Their album "Parklife" became a defining anthem for a generation, encapsulating the essence of life in 1990s Britain. Damon Albarn's wry lyrics and Graham Coxon's catchy guitar hooks created a distinctive sound that resonated with the masses.

Enter Oasis, the brash and unabashed champions of working-class rock 'n' roll. Led by the Gallagher brothers, Liam and Noel, Oasis unleashed a tidal wave of anthems that spoke to the disillusioned and disaffected youth. Their debut album "Definitely Maybe" ignited a revolution, with tracks like "Rock 'n' Roll Star" and "Live Forever" becoming the rallying cries of a generation.

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The rivalry reached its zenith when Blur and Oasis released their respective singles, "Country House" and "Roll with It," on the same day in 1995. It was a battle for the top spot on the charts, and the stakes couldn't have been higher. The media frenzy that ensued was unprecedented, as fans and critics alike eagerly awaited the outcome of this clash of the Britpop titans.

The battle between Blur and Oasis was not just about the music—it became a larger-than-life spectacle, a war of words and personalities that played out in the press. The Gallagher brothers' snarky remarks, Albarn's intellectual musings, and their contrasting lifestyles all added fuel to the fire. The sensational headlines and the relentless hype elevated the rivalry to mythic proportions, capturing the attention of the world and turning the Britpop scene into a global phenomenon.

But amidst the hype and the media frenzy, it was the music that ultimately mattered. The rivalry pushed both bands to new creative heights, with each release vying for the title of the definitive Britpop masterpiece. Whether it was Blur's introspective masterpiece "The Great Escape" or Oasis's anthemic "What's the Story) Morning Glory?," their albums became the soundtracks to an entire generation.

While the rivalry between Blur and Oasis reached its peak in the 1990s, their impact continues to reverberate to this day. They redefined British music and inspired countless bands that followed in their wake. Their music transcended the rivalry, standing the test of time and solidifying their place in the pantheon of rock 'n' roll.

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The rivalry that shook the music industry, sparked debates in every pub, and fueled the dreams of an entire generation. It was a time of wild excess, outrageous claims, and unforgettable music. This is the story of two giants, forever entwined in a rivalry that will forever captivate our imaginations.

Fast forward to 2023, and the world is abuzz with speculation about the future of the legendary Blur and Oasis rivalry. As fans eagerly await what's next, whispers of a possible reunion or collaboration between the two bands send shockwaves of excitement through the music industry. While the members of Blur and Oasis have embarked on their own successful solo ventures in recent years, the lure of a reunion has always loomed large.

As nostalgia grips the hearts of fans, the possibility of seeing Damon Albarn and the Gallagher brothers share the stage once again becomes tantalizingly real. In an era where reunions have become a recurring trend, the resurgence of the Blur and Oasis rivalry in 2023 could be the ultimate musical coup. Imagine the sheer spectacle of a joint performance, the clash of their iconic anthems, and the harmonious convergence of their distinct sounds. It would be a monumental event that transcends time and rejuvenates the rivalry, captivating fans old and new.


April 13, 2014

Damon Albarn may make new album with Noel Gallagher

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Damon Albarn has announced that making a new album with former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher is a "distinct possibility" in future.

In a recent NME article, Albarn revealed that he and Gallagher have discussed the idea of making music together "at least once".

He said: "I still see Noel from time to time. We text a bit." When asked if the pair would be making a record together, he replied, "I can imagine that being a very distinct possibility at some point in the future. But, as yet we haven't really talked about it, although…"

Albarn further added that: "OK we have a little bit. We're talking. It's not anything to get excited about yet. I mean, he's doing his thing. He's finishing a new record. I've got my record coming out, but the principle of us making music together is something…you know, it would be fair to say, we have discussed it at least once."

Last year, the pair put two decades of Britpop rivalry behind them when they performed together at London's Royal Albert Hall for a charity Teenage Cancer Trust concert. Damon Albarn will release his debut solo album 'Everyday Robots' on April 28 2014.


July 25, 2013

Blur- Splitting up was best thing we ever did

Blur bass player Alex James says that that best thing the band ever did was split up and that Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher are now best mates who smoke cigars together.

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Blur bass player Alex James says that that best thing the band ever did was split up and that Damon Albarn and Noel Gallagher are now best mates who smoke cigars together.

Speaking ahead of Blur's gig at IMMA, Dublin on Thursday, August 1st with support from Bat for Lashes and The Strypes, James told Today FM's Ray D'Arcy about his new life as a cheesemaker and farmer.

"Blur came to an end in 2003 and at that point we'd been doing the same thing for 15 years and after that amount of time it does become cyclical," he said. "We needed to go off and do other things. 

"We've all worked with other people since then. I think splitting up was the best thing we ever did." 

During the interview, D'Arcy recalled having the old Blur vs Oasis argument with his friends "in Snaffles Nightclub in Kildare" and asked James who did he think eventually won The Battle of Britpop.

"It's funny because these days Damon and Noel are best mates," James said. "They go off and smoke cigars together. I think we realised we were all on the same side eventually."

 The 44-year-old father of five now lives on a farm in Berkshire and makes cheese. "People throw cheese at me when I'm on stage. Some musicians get underwear," he said.

"Ireland is a fantastic place for cheese. I was over there last year looking at Bries. "There are so many great Irish cheeses. Did you know Brie was invented in Ireland? The French monks took it back to Normandy. They stole it!"

Asked what was the most rock `n' roll thing he'd ever done, James said, "We sent a spaceship to Mars."

(Source)

Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE
Blur @ Coachella- video and image gallery HERE 

Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE
Blur Europe Tour News  HERE
Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

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If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!

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March 25, 2013

Liam Gallagher slams 'Blurasis' , starts new Britpop War

Liam Gallagher of former band Oasis has criticised his brother for being a "snake in the grass"- for playing with Blur in 2013, sparking new controversy and a whole new, twenty-first century Britpop battle. 

"Blurasis", the new term coined by a Blur fan who uploaded a performance from the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert featuring both Blur and Noel Gallagher, has become the word associated with the budding relationship between the former Britpop enemies.

The singer compared Noel Gallagher's show at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, 23rd March, where Noel sang 'Tender; with Blur's Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon, to "sipping champagne with war criminals". The show raised money for supporting the charity Teenage Cancer Trust. 


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'Blurasis' - Damon, Graham and Noel smiling at the Teenage Cancer Trust gig 2013

Liam has taken to social platform Twitter to start the new war between the bands. Today the musician posted a tweet (dated March 25): "Don’t know what’s worse RKID sipping champagne with a war criminal or them backing vocals you’ve just done for BLUE!"

Perhaps what he was referring to when he mentioned "sipping champagne" in the tweet was brother Noel Gallagher attending a drink at the Number 10 with Tony Blair during the height of his Britpop fame, and the important 90s feud with Blur.

Hang on- did he call Blur "Blue" accidentally on purpose? 

All Blur fans knew that Noel was the one who wished Damon Albarn would "catch aids and die" in the 1990s. Damon Albarn also exclaimed back in the Britpop battle of the bands: "I can't make up with Noel. Britpop would be over and heaven forbid that we'd ever admit we'd all grown up!". However, the two posed happily together in recent award shows and even played together in the historical concert this Saturday as part of Blur's new set of gigs. 



Could this be another harsh attack on Blur? Another Britpop battle and feud?  It could be that the tweet was a direct attack on brother Noel. Liam Gallagher is known for tweeting about his brother's new projects ("High flying smurfs") and for making bold, public statements about other musicians. 

Read all about the historical Noel / Damon / Graham Teenage Cancer Trust gig, which yielded in new Blur material HERE

Check out the setlist HERE. 


Opinions - Liam's tweet is
  



Blur Tour 2013 - Full dates and rundown  HERE
Blur confirmed for Mexico HERE
Blur Europe Tour News  HERE
Order the new Blur: Parklife (Live at Hyde Park CD / DVD) HERE

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

If you missed old news, visit the NEWS ARCHIVE to read about past news!

Remember to subscribe to RSS and "LIKE" BlurBalls on Facebook.


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